Children with ADHD have a tough time staying still and quiet. Their overactive minds need the right outlet. Fidget toys can be this outlet, and they fall under the category of sensory toys that have been proven to be beneficial for children. Fidget toys are perfect for children with ADHD to help keep themselves busy because they give them an activity they can do by themselves and don’t need anyone else’s attention to play with them.
Keep reading to know the seven best fidget toys for children with ADHD.
What are Fidget Toys?
Fidget toys are small, usually handheld objects that encourage sensory interaction. They’re designed to help children and adults with attention disorders and anxiety issues. Additionally, these toys can also be used by anyone who wants to keep their hands busy to stay focused and relax.
How Do Fidget Toys Help Children with ADHD?
Children who suffer from this condition are often told to sit still and pay attention in their classrooms, but they can have difficulty doing so without the right tools. So, how do fidget toys help? Here are some ways.
1) Relieves Anxiety and Stress:
The best part about fidget toys is that they’re fun and can help people pay attention, stay awake, and calm down. A fidget toy for anxiety can help children with ADHD by providing sensory input that helps the brain concentrate and calm the feeling of being overwhelmed with anxious feelings and thoughts.
2) Creates Movements for Brain Stimulation:
Fidget toys help these children create a movement to stimulate the brain stem and send signals to the limbic system. The child’s behavior and emotions are positively affected because they receive more signals from their brain stem.
3) Increases Focus and Concentration:
Fidget toys are meant to keep the hands busy and give kids a visual cue to help them focus more on their work.
4) Provides Sustained Mental Occupation:
Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are distracted easily by their own thoughts. When provided with a fidget toy, they have a physical object to focus their minds on.
What Are the Best Fidget Toys for Children with ADHD?
There are many different types of fidget toys you can buy for kids with ADHD. Some of the best include the following.
1) Monkey Ring:
Monkey rings are made of soft elastic silicone material, which is very safe and durable. These rings may be helpful for children with ADHD because they provide sensory input through touch sensations, which can help regulate behavior patterns and reduce anxiety levels.
2) Fidget Spinner:
Fidget spinners are small, ball-bearing devices that users can rotate between their fingers. This toy has been advertised as helping people who have trouble focusing or fidgeting by acting as a release mechanism for nervous energy or stress.
3) Koosh Balls:
A koosh ball is a lightweight foam ball usually made of rubber or plastic threads that resemble tentacles. The fidgeting motion that Koosh Balls give kids with ADHD is extremely beneficial for releasing nervous energy and helping them focus on their work.
4) Slinkys:
A slinky toy is made of a helical spring that stretches and can bounce. Slinkies are also commonly used to demonstrate basic principles of physics.
5) Fidget Cubes:
Fidget cubes are small cube-shaped devices with different gadgets on each side, such as buttons, dials, and switches. These gadgets can help keep your hands busy, so you focus on other things instead of fidgeting.
In addition, fidget cubes offer a silent alternative to other fidget devices such as the clicker pen.
6) Clicker Toys:
A clicker toy is a small handheld device that makes a clicking noise when pushed down or depressed. One benefit of these toys is that they can help children who struggle with impulse control and anxiety.
7) Wikki Stix:
Wikki Stix is a great choice for children with ADHD because they require no instructions. They’re simply malleable sticks that kids can bend, twist, and manipulate in infinite ways.
Keeping Fidgeting under Control Made Possible with The Right Toys
Children with ADHD may find it especially difficult to control their fidgeting. However, it becomes easier to focus on a certain activity with the right fidget toys, and one doesn’t necessarily have to fidget as much.
So if you or someone you love struggles with fidgeting, don’t fight it — embrace it instead! Fidget toys are a great way for kids and adults to stay productive, focused, and relaxed.
References:
https://www.fundemoniumtoys.com/4-reasons-why-fidget-toys-are-helpful-for-kids/
https://www.additudemag.com/slideshows/fidget-toys-for-classroom-focus-top-picks-for-adhd/
https://www.brainbalancecenters.com/blog/great-classroom-friendly-fidgets-for-students-with-adhd
